9 "But a voice from heaven answered a second time , ' What God has cleansed , no longer consider unholy .' 10 "This happened three times , and everything was drawn back up into the sky . 11 "And behold , at that moment three men appeared at the house in which we were staying, having been sent to me from Caesarea . 12 " The Spirit told me to go with them without misgivings . These six brethren also went with me and we entered the man's house . 13 "And he reported to us how he had seen the angel standing in his house , and saying , 'Send to Joppa and have Simon , who is also called Peter , brought here ; 14 and he will speak words to you by which you will be saved , you and all your household .' 15 "And as I began to speak , the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as He did upon us at the beginning . 16 "And I remembered the word of the Lord , how He used to say , ' John baptized with water , but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit .' 17 "Therefore if God gave to them the same gift as He gave to us also after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ , who was I that I could stand in God's way ?" 18 When they heard this , they quieted down and glorified God , saying , "Well then , God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life ."
19 So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch , speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone . 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene , who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also , preaching the Lord Jesus . 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord . 22 The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem , and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch . 23 Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God , he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord ; 24 for he was a good man , and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith . And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord . 25 And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul ; 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch . And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers ; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch .
27 Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch . 28 One of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world . And this took place in the reign of Claudius . 29 And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means , each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea . 30 And this they did , sending it in charge e of Barnabas and Saul to the elders .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 11:9-48
Commentary on Acts 11:1-18
(Read Acts 11:1-18)
The imperfect state of human nature strongly appears, when godly persons are displeased even to hear that the word of God has been received, because their own system has not been attended to. And we are too apt to despair of doing good to those who yet, when tried, prove very teachable. It is the bane and damage of the church, to shut out those from it, and from the benefit of the means of grace, who are not in every thing as we are. Peter stated the whole affair. We should at all times bear with the infirmities of our brethren; and instead of taking offence, or answering with warmth, we should explain our motives, and show the nature of our proceedings. That preaching is certainly right, with which the Holy Ghost is given. While men are very zealous for their own regulations, they should take care that they do not withstand God; and those who love the Lord will glorify him, when made sure that he has given repentance to life to any fellow-sinners. Repentance is God's gift; not only his free grace accepts it, but his mighty grace works it in us, grace takes away the heart of stone, and gives us a heart of flesh. The sacrifice of God is a broken spirit.
Commentary on Acts 11:19-24
(Read Acts 11:19-24)
The first preachers of the gospel at Antioch, were dispersed from Jerusalem by persecution; thus what was meant to hurt the church, was made to work for its good. The wrath of man is made to praise God. What should the ministers of Christ preach, but Christ? Christ, and him crucified? Christ, and him glorified? And their preaching was accompanied with the Divine power. The hand of the Lord was with them, to bring that home to the hearts and consciences of men, which they could but speak to the outward ear. They believed; they were convinced of the truth of the gospel. They turned from a careless, carnal way of living, to live a holy, heavenly, spiritual life. They turned from worshipping God in show and ceremony, to worship him in the Spirit and in truth. They turned to the Lord Jesus, and he became all in all with them. This was the work of conversion wrought upon them, and it must be wrought upon every one of us. It was the fruit of their faith; all who sincerely believe, will turn to the Lord, When the Lord Jesus is preached in simplicity, and according to the Scriptures, he will give success; and when sinners are thus brought to the Lord, really good men, who are full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, will admire and rejoice in the grace of God bestowed on them. Barnabas was full of faith; full of the grace of faith, and full of the fruits of the faith that works by love.
Commentary on Acts 11:25-30
(Read Acts 11:25-30)
Hitherto the followers of Christ were called disciples, that is, learners, scholars; but from that time they were called Christians. The proper meaning of this name is, a follower of Christ; it denotes one who, from serious thought, embraces the religion of Christ, believes his promises, and makes it his chief care to shape his life by Christ's precepts and example. Hence it is plain that multitudes take the name of Christian to whom it does not rightly belong. But the name without the reality will only add to our guilt. While the bare profession will bestow neither profit nor delight, the possession of it will give both the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. Grant, Lord, that Christians may forget other names and distinctions, and love one another as the followers of Christ ought to do. True Christians will feel for their brethren under afflictions. Thus will fruit be brought forth to the praise and glory of God. If all mankind were true Christians, how cheerfully would they help one another! The whole earth would be like one large family, every member of which would strive to be dutiful and kind.